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The Parish of
St. Christopher and St. Margaret Mary130 Midland Avenue
Staten Island, New York 10306
Faith Formation
ADVENT RETREAT
Saturday, December 2nd, 2017
ALL: Father, all-powerful God, your eternal Word took flesh on our
earth when the Virgin Mary placed her life at the service of your
plan.
Lift our minds in watchful hope to hear the voice which
announces his glory and open our minds to receive the Spirit who
prepares us for his coming.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
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Written and assembled by Jerry LePre
Chairperson, St. Christopher and St. Margaret Mary Faith Formation
Document Id: 20171202-AdventRetreatHandbook
Closing Prayer
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9:00am Mass (St. Christopher Church)
Registration and Light Breakfast (St. Christopher Community Center)
Opening Prayer 3
Welcome 4
Retreat Overview 5
Introduction to Advent 6
Foretelling of the Messiah Quiz 7
Part 1: Setting the Stage
1.1 A Look into the Bible 8
1.2 History 9
Part 2: Biblical Covenants
2.1 What is a Covenant? 10
2.2 The Covenants 11
2.3 Revealing of Himself 12
Part 3: Prophets and The Gospel Writers
3.1 The Prophets 13
3.2 Gospel Writers 17
Part 4: Prophecies
4.1 Coming of the Messiah 18
4.2 Birth of the Messiah 20
4.3 Missionary of the Messiah 22
4.4 Betrayal of the Messiah 24
4.5 Crucifixion and Death of the Messiah 27
Father Joe’s Reflections; a page for notes 33
In Closing 34
Acknowledgments 34
Foretelling of the Messiah Quiz Answers 35
Closing Prayer 36
Table of Contents
1. With whom did God make his second covenant?
Noah. See Page 11.
2. Name one prophet.
See Pages 13 – 15.
3. Name one prophecy.
See Pages 18 – 32.
4. Did Jesus, in his lifetime, specifically mention a prophecy? If so,
which one?
Yes.
Jesus Himself proclaims that Isaiah's prophecy refers to him.
Isaiah 61:1: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has
anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to
proclaim release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to
set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the acceptable year
of the Lord.“
Luke 4:18,21: 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has
anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor.” He has sent me to
proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the
oppressed go free, 21 He said to them, “Today this scripture passage
is fulfilled in your hearing.” – See Page 22
5. Who is attributed to writing the majority of the Psalms?
David is attributed to writing many of the Psalms.
6. What was God’s sign in his covenant with Moses?.
The Passover. See Page 12.
Foretelling of the Messiah
Quiz Answers
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LEADER: “You also must be ready;
for the Son of man is coming at an unexpected hour.”
(Luke 12:40)
ALL: Heavenly Father, we thank you for this special season in the
Church in which we prepare our hearts for the fulfillment of
your plan of salvation.
Lord Jesus, we ask for the grace to examine our hearts, repent
of our sins, and seek forgiveness from you in the Sacrament
of Reconciliation.
Holy Spirit, help us to enter fully into this Advent season and
draw us into deeper, prayerful communion with you and with
one another.
Glory be to the Father
and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen
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Opening Prayer
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➢ We hope you have enjoyed our journey into Foretelling of the Messiah.
We would greatly appreciate you taking a moment and completing a
Feedback/Evaluation Comment Card.
➢ For those of you that don’t have the St. Christopher and St. Margaret
Mary Calendar of Ceremonies and Events Handbook 9/2017 –
8/2018, they are available on a table in the rear of the room, along with
other material you may find of interest.
➢ We would like to recognize and thank Reverend Joseph M. McLafferty,
Pastor of St. Christopher and St. Margaret Mary for his unbounding
spiritual leadership and guidance.
➢ Our appreciation is extended to the St. Christopher and St. Margaret
Mary Faith Formation Committee for their time and effort in preparing,
organizing and conducting this Retreat.
➢ We would also like to thank you, the participants of this Retreat who
made Foretelling of the Messiah such an inspirational experience.
In Closing
Acknowledgments
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On behalf of Father Joe and
St. Christopher and St. Margaret Mary
Faith Formation, we extend our warmest
welcome. We pray that your participation
at this Advent Retreat will provide you an
opportunity to reflect upon the meaning
of Advent through the biblical prophecies
and result in a more joyous and blessed
Christmas.
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Do you ever wish that God would give you a sign from Heaven as a way of
giving you some definitive guidance or direction in life? Do you look for
signs from God and rely upon them?
If God were to give us some clear sign in life revealing His will, we should
take it as a gift and be grateful for it. But receiving a sign from God is
different than seeking a sign from God.
Jesus states that no sign will be given except the sign of Jonah. The “sign of
Jonah” refers to Jesus’ Crucifixion, death, three days in the tomb and
Resurrection. Jonah was three days in the belly of the whale. Jesus was
telling them that He would be three days in the tomb.
But the key is that Jesus’ death and Resurrection IS the sign that will be
given. We should seek nothing other than this central mystery of our
faith. Every question, problem, concern, confusion, etc., can be answered
and dealt with if we simply enter into the great mystery of our redemption
by entering into the life, death and Resurrection of Christ. Seeking a sign
other than this would be wrong in that it would be a way of saying that the
death and Resurrection of Jesus is not enough.
Reflect, today, upon the greatest “sign” God has ever given. And if you find
yourself struggling with questions in life, turn your eyes to this one definitive
sign. Turn your eyes to the central mystery of our faith: the life, death and
Resurrection of Christ. It is there that every question can be answered and
every grace is given. We need nothing more than this.[Source: ttps://catholic-daily-reflections.com/2017/10/15/seeking-signs]
Welcome
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➢ Notes
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Father Joe’s Reflections
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❖ The Retreat is organized into an Introduction to Advent and
4 additional Parts:
▪ Part 1: Setting the Stage
o A Look into the Bible
o History of the Times
▪ Part 2: Biblical Covenants
o What is a “Covenant”?
o The Covenants
- Adamic - Mosaic
- Noahic - Davidic
- Abrahamic - New
o Revealing of Himself
▪ Part 3: Prophets and Gospel Writers
o The Prophets
- Overview - The Prophetesses
- History of the Prophets - Delivery of the Message
- Major and Minor Prophets - Prophetic Predictions
- Chronology of the Prophets
o The Gospel Writers -
▪ Part 4: Prophecies
(Each section consist of Readings, Reflections and Discussions)
o Coming of the Messiah
o Birth of the Messiah
o Mission of the Messiah
o Death of the Messiah
❖ Your participation and comments are vital to obtain the most enriching
experience from the Retreat.
❖ Father Joe will provide his reflections at some point during Part 4.
approximately 11:30am.
❖ Lunch will be available during Part 4. At any time during the Retreat you
are welcome to refresh you beverages and snacks.
❖ Due to circumstances beyond his control, Fr. Joe regretfully is not
available for Confession after the Retreat.
❖ Closing
❖ Closing Prayer
❖ If you haven’t already, please Sign In.
Retreat Overview
4.5 The Crucifixion and Death of the Messiah
➢ God will darken the earth at noon.
▪ Amos 8:9:
On that day — oracle of the Lord GOD — I will make the sun set at
midday and in broad daylight cover the land with darkness.
▪ Matthew 27:45:
45 From noon onward, darkness came over the whole land until
three in the afternoon.
▪ Luke 23:44-46:
44 It was now about noon and darkness came over the whole land
until three in the afternoon
45 because of an eclipse of the sun. Then the veil of the temple was
torn down the middle.
46 Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I
commend my spirit”; and when he had said this he breathed his last.
Part 4: The Prophecies
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WHAT IS ADVENT?Advent is the beginning of the Church's liturgical year.
Advent (from, "ad-venire" in Latin or "to come to") is the season
encompassing the four Sundays (and weekdays) leading up to the
celebration of Christmas. It varies in length between 22 days and 28 days.
In 2016, it is 28 days long.
The Advent season is a time of preparation that directs our
hearts and minds to:
➢ Christ’s second coming at the end of time and
➢ also to the anniversary of the Lord’s birth on Christmas.
WHY IS ADVENT IMPORTANT?Preparation for Christmas is an important theme for Advent, but more is
involved. Advent gives us a vision of our lives as Christians and shows us the
possibilities of life. The vision of life that Advent gives us is twofold:
➢ it looks back to the first coming of Christ at Bethlehem, and
➢ it looks to the future when Christ will come again.
In the interval between these two events we find meaning for our life as a
Christian.
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Introduction to Advent
4.5 The Crucifixion and Death of the Messiah
➢ No bones were broken and His side will be pierced.
▪ Psalm 34:21:
He watches over all his bones; not one of them shall be broken.
▪ Zechariah 12:10:
I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of
Jerusalem a spirit of mercy and supplication, so that when they look on
him whom they have thrust through, they will mourn for him as one
mourns for an only child, and they will grieve for him as one grieves
over a firstborn.
▪ John 19: 31-34,37:
31 Now since it was preparation day, in order that the bodies might
not remain on the cross on the sabbath, for the sabbath day of that
week was a solemn one, the Jews asked Pilate that their legs be broken
and they be taken down
32 So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and then of the
other one who was crucified with Jesus.
33 But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead,
they did not break his legs,
34 but one soldier thrust his lance into his side, and immediately
blood and water flowed out.
35 An eyewitness has testified, and his testimony is true; he knows*
that he is speaking the truth, so that you also may [come to] believe.
36 For this happened so that the scripture passage might be fulfilled:
“Not a bone of it will be broken.”
37And again another passage says: “They will look upon him whom
they have pierced.”
Part 4: The Prophecies
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1. With whom did God make his second covenant?
_____________________________________
2. Name one prophet.
_____________________________________
3. Name one prophecy.
______________________________________
4. Did Jesus, in his lifetime, specifically mention a prophecy?
If so, which one?
______________________________________
5. Who is attributed to writing the majority of the Psalms?
______________________________________
6. What was God’s sign in his covenant with Moses?
______________________________________
YOUR SCORE
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Foretelling of the Messiah Quiz
4.5 The Crucifixion and Death of the Messiah
➢ Written hundreds of years before Jesus by David, very closely describes
the agony of Jesus on the cross, even down to the fact that the Roman
soldiers cast lots for the clothes of Jesus.
▪ Psalm 22:12-19 (David ):
Depart not from me. For tribulation is very near: for there is none to
help me. Many calves have surrounded me: fat bulls have besieged
me. They have opened their mouths against me, as a lion ravening
and roaring. I am poured out like water; and all my bones are
scattered. My heart is become like wax melting in the midst of my
bowels. My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue hath
cleaved to my jaws: and thou hast brought me down into the dust of
death. For many dogs have encompassed me: the council of the
malignant hath besieged me. They have dug my hands and feet. They
have numbered all my bones. And they have looked and stared upon
me. They parted my garments amongst them; and upon my vesture
they cast lots.
▪ Matthew 27:33-36:
33 And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means
Place of the Skull),
34 they gave Jesus wine to drink mixed with gall. But when he had
tasted it, he refused to drink.
35 After they had crucified him, they divided his garments by casting
lots; 36 then they sat down and kept watch over him there.
➢ This cry is a fulfillment of the Psalm, one of many parallels between that
Psalm and the specific events of the crucifixion.
▪ Psalm 22: 2 (David ):
O God my God, look upon me: why hast thou forsaken me? Far
from my salvation are the words of my sins.
▪ Mathew 27:45-46:
45 From noon onward, darkness came over the whole land until
three in the afternoon.
46 And about three o’clock Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli,
lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have
you forsaken me?”
King David is attributed to writing many of the Psalms.
Part 4: The Prophecies
See Page 35 for answers.
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1.1 A Look into the BibleTo get a full understanding of the prophecies that foretold the coming, the
mission and the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus our Messiah we need a little
background. It’s important to understand the history and the people leading
up to and during the writing of the prophecies.
Its imperative that we look at the Bible and recognize:
• The Bible isn't a book. It's a library. The Bible is a collection of 73
books written over the course of many centuries. The books include
royal history, prophecy, poetry, challenging letters to struggling new faith
communities, and believers' accounts of the preaching and passion of
Jesus. [Source: Understanding the Bible, by Mary Elizabeth Sperry - United States Conference of
Catholic Bishops; www.usccb.org]
• These books were not composed at one time. Many centuries elapsed
between the oldest traditions and the last book. The Old Testament
was written some 500 years before Christ and the New Testament 300-
500 years after Christ. [Source: What is the Bible? United States Conference of Catholic
Bishops; www.usccb.org]
• The Bible is the story of God's relationship with the people he has
called to himself. It is not intended to be read as history text, a science
book, or a political manifesto. [Source: Understanding the Bible, by Mary Elizabeth Sperry -
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops; www.usccb.org]
• The Bible is a collection of sacred texts or scriptures that Jews and
Christians consider to be a product of God’s guidance via Divine
Inspiration. It is a record of the relationship between God and humans.
as it searches for the meaning of life. The authors were also defending
their current beliefs. [Source: What is the Bible? United States Conference of Catholic Bishops;
www.usccb.org]
• When the searching for truth and meaning culminates in unfolding one
of God’s mysteries and making himself known to us, we speak of
Divine Revelations. [Source: What is the Bible? United States Conference of Catholic Bishops;
www.usccb.org]
• The writings in today’s Bible were translated from Hebrew, Aramaic or
Greek. [Source: What is the Bible? United States Conference of Catholic Bishops; www.usccb.org]
• The authors of these books are mostly unknown. There are traditions
that Moses wrote the first Five Books, the prophet Jeremiah wrote
Lamentations, and half of the Psalms by King David – but these can’t
be proven. [Source: Who Wrote The Bible? x Chard Elliott Friedman].
Part 1: Setting the Stage
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4.5 The Crucifixion and Death of the Messiah
▪ Matthew 27:11-14:
11 Now Jesus stood before the governor, and he questioned him,
“Are you the king of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You say so.”
12 And when he was accused by the chief priests and elders,* he
made no answer. 13 Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear
how many things they are testifying against you? 14 But he did not
answer him one word, so that the governor was greatly amazed.
▪ Luke 23:13-24:
13 Pilate then summoned the chief priests, the rulers, and the
people 14 and said to them, “You brought this man to me and
accused him of inciting the people to revolt. I have conducted my
investigation in your presence and have not found this man guilty of
the charges you have brought against him,
15 nor did Herod, for he sent him back to us. So no capital crime
has been committed by him. 16 Therefore I shall have him flogged
and then release him.”
[17] The Sentence of Death
18 But all together they shouted out, “Away with this man! Release
Barabbas to us.”
19 (Now Barabbas had been imprisoned for a rebellion that had
taken place in the city and for murder.)
20 Again Pilate addressed them, still wishing to release Jesus,
21 but they continued their shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!”
22 Pilate addressed them a third time, “What evil has this man
done? I found him guilty of no capital crime. Therefore I shall have
him flogged and then release him.”
23 With loud shouts, however, they persisted in calling for his
crucifixion, and their voices prevailed.
24 The verdict of Pilate was that their demand should be granted.
▪ Luke 23:33-34:
33 When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him
and the criminals there, one on his right, the other on his left.
34 [Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they
do.”] They divided his garments by casting lots.
Part 4: The Prophecies
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God’s Love
ForgivenessMankind
Broken
Covenant
Punishment
• Some of the writings were influenced by the author’s existing customs
and beliefs. [Source: What is the Bible? United States Conference of
Catholic Bishops; www.usccb.org]
• The Books are not presented in chorological order; i.e. Job preceded
Abraham. [Source: What is the Bible? United States Conference of Catholic Bishops;
www.usccb.org]
Let’s start at the very beginning – The Creation as told in Genesis. It is
here we witness the absolute love God has for us, who created mankind in
his image. His uncompromising love and promises are shown over and
over. It was human weaknesses and failures to live the Covenants that
created a repeated cycle of:
1.2 History of the Times
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Part 1: Setting the Stage
4.5 The Crucifixion and Death of the Messiah
➢ Isaiah 53 is probably the most pointed reference to the suffering servant,
Jesus, in the Old Testament.
▪ Isaiah 53: 1-12:
Who has believed what we have heard? And to whom has the arm of
the LORD been revealed? For he grew up before him like a young
plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or comeliness
that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him.
He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and
acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he
was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he has borne our griefs
and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God,
and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was
bruised for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that made us
whole, and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone
astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD has
laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was
afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the
slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is dumb, so he
opened not his mouth. By oppression and judgment he was taken
away; and as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off out
of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people?
And they made his grave with the wicked and a burial place with
evildoers, Though he had done no wrong nor spoken any falsehoods.
Yet it was the will of the LORD to bruise him; he has put him to grief;
when he makes himself an offering for sin, he shall see his offspring, he
shall prolong his days; the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand;
he shall see the fruit of the travail of his soul and be satisfied; by his
knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be
accounted righteous; and he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore I will
divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the
strong; because he poured out his soul to death, and was numbered
with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and made
intercession for the transgressors.
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Part 4: The Prophecies
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2.1 What is a “Covenant”?The Catholic Encyclopedia defines covenant as
"A solemn promise, fortified by an oath,
concerning future action.“[Source: The St Charles Borromeo Catholic Church website;
http://www.scborromeo.org/papers/covenant.pdf]
Covenant comes from the Latin word "convenire" which means to come
together. A covenant is basically an agreement between people, or between
God and His people, that binds one to the other. This is much different than
a contract, which involves the exchange of goods or services for money.
A covenant can be thought of as a sacred family bond, taken with an oath
before a higher power, whereas a contract can be thought of as an agreement
to pay someone for services rendered, which involves a promise to each
other, rather than an oath. BIG DIFFERENCE
So why did God decide to make covenants with mankind? Through sin, we
have separated ourselves from the eternal love of God, preferring instead the
temporary pleasures of this world. To help show us the way, God initiated 6
major covenants in the Bible to bring us back into His family.
1. Adamic
2. Noahic
3. Abrahamic
4. Mosaic
5. Davidic
6. New
All of these covenants have 3 similarities:
1. a blessing,
2. a condition/curse, and
3. a sign.
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Part 2: Biblical Covenants
4.5 The Crucifixion and Death of the Messiah
➢ The foretelling of the crucifixion and death of Jesus. Jesus was
mocked and spit upon by the Roman guards, but yet was not put to
shame.
▪ Isaiah 50: 5-7:
The Lord GOD has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious, I
turned not backward. I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks
to those who pulled out the beard; I hid not my face from shame
and spitting. For the Lord GOD helps me; therefore I have not
been confounded; therefore I have set my face like a flint, and I
know that I shall not be put to shame.
▪ Matthew 2127-31:
27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus inside the
praetorium and gathered the whole cohort around him.
28 They stripped off his clothes and threw a scarlet military cloak*
about him.
29 Weaving a crown out of thorns, they placed it on his head, and
a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him, they mocked
him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!”
30 They spat upon him and took the reed and kept striking him on
the head.
31 And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the
cloak, dressed him in his own clothes, and led him off to crucify
him.
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Part 4: The Prophecies
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Adam
Moses
AbrahamNoah
David Jeremiah
Jesus
The Covenants
1. Adamic, God’s Covenants with Man.
God's covenant with Adam and Eve; Genesis 1:26-30; 2:16-17.
• The Blessing: Their descendants will fill the earth and subdue it.
• The Condition/Curse: Do not eat from the tree of knowledge of good
and evil/death will result.
• The Sign: The Sabbath , keep it holy.
2. Noahic, God’s Covenant with Family.
God promises to never again destroy mankind through a flood, and the
rainbow is his constant reminder; Genesis 9:1-27.
• The Blessing: God will never flood the entire earth again.
• The Condition/Curse: Do not drink the blood of animals or shed
human blood.
• The Sign: A Rainbow.
3. Abrahamic, God’s Covenant with Tribe.
God’s covenant made with Abram/Abraham; Genesis 17:1-10.
• Blessing: Land and many blessed descendants.
• Condition/Curse: Circumcision.
• Sign: Circumcision.
2.2 The Covenants
Part 2: Biblical Covenants
4.4 The Betrayal of the Messiah
➢ The Messiah will be forsaken by his disciples who will scatter.
▪ Zechariah 13:7:
Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, against the one who is my
associate - oracle of the LORD of hosts. Strike the shepherd that the
sheep may be scattered; I will turn my hand against the little ones.
▪ Mark 14:44-50:
44 His betrayer had arranged a signal with them, saying, “The man I
shall kiss is the one; arrest him and lead him away securely.”
45 He came and immediately went over to him and said, “Rabbi.”
And he kissed him.
46 At this they laid hands on him and arrested him.
47 One of the bystanders drew his sword, struck the high priest’s
servant, and cut off his ear.
48 Jesus said to them in reply, “Have you come out as against a
robber, with swords and clubs, to seize me?
49 Day after day I was with you teaching in the temple area, yet you
did not arrest me; but that the scriptures may be fulfilled.”
50 And they all left him and fled.
➢ The Messiah will be forsaken by his disciples who will scatter.
▪ Zechariah 13:7:
Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, against the one who is my
associate - oracle of the LORD of hosts. Strike the shepherd that the
sheep may be scattered; I will turn my hand against the little ones.
▪ Mark 14:44-50:
44 His betrayer had arranged a signal with them, saying, “The man I
shall kiss is the one; arrest him and lead him away securely.”
45 He came and immediately went over to him and said, “Rabbi.” And
he kissed him. 46 At this they laid hands on him and arrested him.
47 One of the bystanders drew his sword, struck the high priest’s
servant, and cut off his ear. 48 Jesus said to them in reply, “Have you
come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs, to seize me?
49 Day after day I was with you teaching in the temple area, yet you did
not arrest me; but that the scriptures may be fulfilled.”
50 And they all left him and fled.
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Part 4: The Prophecies
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2.2 The Covenants (continued)4. Mosaic, God’s Covenant with Nation.
God's Covenant made with Moses; Exodus 34:10, 24
• Blessing: Becoming God's chosen people.
• Condition/Curse: They MUST keep God's law and the
Commandments.
• Sign: The Passover.
5. Davidic, God’s Covenant with Kingdom.
God’s Covenant with David – a foretelling of Jesus; 2 Samuel 7:9-16.
• Blessing: God becomes our Father, and we become his child.
• Condition/Curse: Chastisement (the infliction of pain) with the rod of
men.
• Sign: Solomon's Temple.
6. New Covenant; God’s Covenant for a Universal, Worldwide Kingdom.
The last Covenant promised through Jeremiah, fulfilled by Jesus;
Jeremiah 31:31-34.
• Blessing: God's Law will be written on our hearts. Believers become
the new chosen people.
• Condition/Curse: Belief in Jesus as the son of God, Baptism, eating
his flesh and drinking his blood at Communion, and living. as
Christians, not pagans.
• Sign: The Eucharist.[Source: Catholic Bible 010; biblical covenants; www.catholicbible101.com/covenantsinthebible.htm]
2.3 Revealing of HimselfWhat God is doing here is not only building up man's relationship to Him
using signs and other humans, he is revealing more and more of Himself to
us with each and every covenant, until at last He has revealed Himself fully
in Jesus Christ. Sadly, man broke each covenant and had to endure the
curses associated with each one. But God has been true to each one of His
covenants with us.[Source: [Source: Catholic Bible 010; biblical covenants; www.catholicbible101.com/covenantsinthebible.htm]
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Part 2: Biblical Covenants
4.4 The Betrayal of the Messiah
➢ Zechariah predicts that the Lord would be sold for 30 pieces of silver,
which came true when Judas betrayed Jesus to the Pharisees.
▪ Zechariah 11:12-13:
Then I said to them, "If it seems right to you, give me my wages; but if
not, keep them." And they weighed out as my wages thirty shekels of
silver. Then the LORD said to me, "Cast it into the treasury" -- the
lordly price at which I was paid off by them. So I took the thirty
shekels of silver and cast them into the treasury in the house of the
LORD.
▪ Matthew 27:3-8:
3 Then Judas, his betrayer, seeing that Jesus had been condemned,
deeply regretted what he had done. He returned the thirty pieces of
silver to the chief priests and elders,
4 saying, “I have sinned in betraying innocent blood.” They said,
“What is that to us? Look to it yourself.”
5 Flinging the money into the temple, he departed and went off and
hanged himself.
6 The chief priests gathered up the money, but said, “It is not lawful to
deposit this in the temple treasury, for it is the price of blood.”
7 After consultation, they used it to buy the potter’s field as a burial
place for foreigners.
8 That is why that field even today is called the Field of Blood.
Part 4: The Prophecies
Page 13
3.1 The ProphetsOverview
The Hebrew Prophet was not merely, as the word commonly implies, a
man enlightened by God to foretell events; he was the interpreter and
supernaturally enlightened herald sent by Yahweh to communicate His
will and designs to Israel. His mission consisted in preaching as well as in
foretelling. He had to maintain and develop the knowledge of the Old
Law among the Chosen People, lead them back when they strayed, and
gradually prepare the way for the new kingdom of God, which the messiah
was to establish on earth. Prophecy, in general, signifies the supernatural
message of the Prophet, and more especially, from custom, the predictive
element of the prophetic message. [Source: Prophecy, Prophet, and Prophetess, New
Advent; www.newadvent.org/cathen/12477a.htm]
History of the Prophets
The first person entitled nabî’ (prophet) in the
Old Testament is Abraham, father of the elect,
the friend of God, favored with his personal
communications (Genesis 20:7).
The next is Moses, the founder and lawgiver of the theocratic nation, the
mediator of the Old Covenant holding a degree of authority unequalled
till the coming of Jesus Christ. "And there arose no more a prophet in
Israel like unto Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face, in all the signs
and wonders, which he sent by him, to do in the land of Egypt to Pharaoh,
and to all his servants, and to his whole land, and all the mighty hand, and
great miracles, which Moses did before all Israel" (Deuteronomy 34:10
sqq.). There were other Prophets with him, but only of the second rank,
such as Aaron and Maria, Eldad and Medad, to whom Yahweh
manifested himself in dreams and vision, but not in the audible voice with
which He favored him, who was most faithful in all His house (Numbers
12:7).
Of the four institutions concerning which Moses enacted laws according
to Deuteronomy (14:18-18), one was prophecy (18:9-22; cf. 13:1-5, and
Exodus 4:1 sqq.). Israel was to listen to the true Prophets, and not to
heed the false but rather to extirpate them, even had they the appearance
of miracle-workers. The former would speak in the name of Yahweh, the
one God; and foretell things that would be accomplished or be confirmed
by miracles.
Part 3: Prophets and
the Gospel Writers
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4.3 The Ministry of the Messiah
➢ Here we see the prophecy that was fulfilled by Jesus on Palm Sunday,
when he rode triumphantly into Jerusalem on a donkey.
▪ Zechariah 9:9:
Exult greatly, O daughter Zion! Shout for joy, O daughter Jerusalem!
Behold: your king is coming to you, a just savior is he,
humble and riding on an ass, on a colt the foal of an ass.
▪ Matthew 21:6=9:
6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had ordered them.
7 They brought the ass and the colt and laid their cloaks over them,
and he sat upon them.
8 The very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others
cut branches from the trees and strewed them on the road.
9 The crowds preceding him and those following kept crying out and
saying: “Hosanna* to the Son of David; blessed is he who comes in
the name of the Lord; hosanna in the highest.”
4.4 The Betrayal of the Messiah
➢ David foresees the hatred Jesus will experience.
▪ Psalm 69:4 (David ):
Those who hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of my
head; Those who would destroy me are powerful, being wrongfully
my enemies.
▪ John 15:18-20:
18 “If the world hates you, realize that it hated me first.
19 If you belonged to the world, the world would love its own; but
because you do not belong to the world, and I have chosen you out of
the world, the world hates you.
20 Remember the word I spoke to you, ‘No slave is greater than his
master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they
kept my word, they will also keep yours.
King David is attributed to writing many of the Psalms.
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Part 4: The Prophecies
Page 14
In the time of the Judges (approximately 1375-1175BC), in addition to an
unnamed Prophet (Judges 6:8-10), we meet with Debbora (Judges 4-5), "a
mother in Israel, judging the people, and communicating the Divine
orders concerning the War of Independence to Barac and the tribes.
The word of God was rare in those days of anarchy and semi-apostasy,
when Yahweh partly abandoned Israel to render it conscious of its
feebleness and its sins. In the days of Samuel (approximately 1050BC),
on the contrary, prophecy became a permanent institution. Samuel was a
new but lesser Moses, whose Divine mission it was to restore the code of
the elder, and to supervise the beginning of the royalty.
But the two greatest figures of prophecy between Samuel and Isaiah are
Elias and Eliseus. Yahweism was again endangered, especially by the
Tyrian Jezabel, wife of Achab, who had introduced into Samaria the
worship of her Phœnician gods, and Israel's faith was tottering, as it
divided its worship between Baal and Yahweh. In Juda the danger was
not less menacing, King Joram had married Athalia, a worthy daughter of
Jezabel. At that moment Elias appeared like a mysterious giant, and by
his preaching and his miracles led Israel back to the true God and
suppressed, or at least moderated, their leaning towards the gods of
Chanaan. At Carmel he won a magnificent and terrible victory over the
Prophets of Baal; then he proceeded to Horeb to renew within him the
spirit of the Covenant thence he returned to Samaria to proclaim to
Achab the voice of justice calling out for vengeance for the murder of
Naboth. When he disappeared in the fiery chariot, he left to his disciple
Eliseus, with his mantle, a double share of his spirit. Eliseus continued
the master's work against the Chanaanite idolatry with great success, and
became a bulwark to the Kingdom of the North.
Major and Minor Prophets
There are four Greater Prophets, that is those whose works are of
considerable length:
- Isaias - Ezechiel
- Jeremias - Daniel
There are twelve Minor Prophets, whose works are briefer:
- Osee - Abdias - Nahum - Aggeus
- Joel - Jonas - Habacuc - Zacharias
- Amos - Micheas - Sophonias - Malachias
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Part 3: Prophets and
the Gospel Writers4.3 The Ministry of the Messiah
➢ The two Old Testament scriptures from Ezekiel and Daniel were
fulfilled by Jesus.
▪ Ezekiel 34:11-16:
"For thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I myself will search for my
sheep, and will seek them out. As a shepherd seeks out his flock when
some of his sheep have been scattered abroad, so will I seek out my
sheep; and I will rescue them from all places where they have been
scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness. And I will bring them
out from the peoples, and gather them from the countries, and will
bring them into their own land; and I will feed them on the mountains
of Israel, by the fountains, and in all the inhabited places of the
country.] I will feed them with good pasture, and upon the mountain
heights of Israel shall be their pasture; there they shall lie down in good
grazing land, and on fat pasture they shall feed on the mountains of
Israel. I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I will make them
lie down, says the Lord GOD. I will seek the lost, and I will bring back
the strayed, and I will bind up the crippled, and I will strengthen the
weak, and the fat and the strong I will watch over; I will feed them in
justice.
▪ Daniel 7:13-14:
I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there
came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and
was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory
and kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him;
his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and
his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.
▪ Luke 19: 8-10:
8 But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Behold, half of my
possessions, Lord, I shall give to the poor, and if I have extorted
anything from anyone I shall repay it four times over.
9 And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house
because this man too is a descendant of Abraham.
10 For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost.”
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Part 4: The Prophecies
Page 15
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3.1 The Prophets, continuedChronology of the Prophets
The Book of Baruch, which is not included in the Hebrew canon, is united
in our Bibles to the Book of Jeremias. The ministry of Amos, the most
ancient perhaps of the prophetic writers, is placed about the years 760-50.
Osee follows him immediately. Next comes Isaias (about 740-700), and his
contemporary Micheas. Sophonias, Nahum, and Habacuc prophesied
towards the last quarter of the seventh century. Jeremias about 626-586;
Ezechiel between 592-70. The prophecy of Aggeus and in part that of
Zacharias are dated exactly in 520 and 520-18. Malachias belongs to the
middle of the fifth century. As for Daniel, Abdias, Joel, Baruch, as well as
portions of Isaias, Jeremias, Zacharias, their dates are in dispute or undated
The Prophetesses
The Old Testament gives the name nebî'ah, to three women gifted with
prophetic charismata:
- Mary, the sister of Moses;
- Debbora; and
- Holda, a contemporary of Jeremias (2 Kings 22:14); also to the
wife of Isaias meaning the spouse of a nabî
Delivery of the Message
The prophets usually taught orally. To this they often added symbolical acts
and caught the attention of their hearers. Jeremias, for instance, wandered
through Jerusalem under a wooden yoke, symbolizing the approaching
subjugation of the nations by the King of Babylon.
Cessation of Prophecy
The prophetic institution had ceased to exist in the time of the Machabees
(approximately 175-100BC). Israel clearly recognized this, and was awaiting
its reappearance. Its necessity had ceased. Religious revelation and the
moral code expressed in Holy Writ were full and clear. The people were
being instructed by the scribes and doctors. There was a feeling that the
promises were about to be fulfilled and the consequent apocalypse increased
and intensified this feeling. It was not unfitting, therefore, for God to allow
an interval to elapse between the prophets of the Old Covenant and Jesus
Christ, who was to be the crown and consummation of their prophecies.
Part 3: Prophets and
the Gospel Writers4.3 The Ministry of the Messiah
➢ Jesus Himself proclaims that Isaiah's prophecy refers to him.
▪ Isaiah 61:1: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has
anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to
proclaim release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to
set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the acceptable year
of the Lord."
▪ Luke 4:16-18,20-21:
16 He came to Nazareth, where he had grown up, and went
according to his custom into the synagogue on the sabbath day. He
stood up to read
17 and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah. He unrolled the
scroll and found the passage where it was written:
18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me
to bring glad tidings to the poor.” He has sent me to proclaim liberty
to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go
free,
20 Rolling up the scroll, he handed it back to the attendant and sat
down, and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him.
21 He said to them, “Today this scripture passage is fulfilled in your
hearing.”
➢ Many of the teachings of Jesus were in the form of parables.
▪ Psalm 78:1-2 (David ):
Listen, O my people, to my instruction; Incline your ears to the words
of my mouth. I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark
sayings of old, Which we have heard and known, And our fathers
have told us. We will not conceal them from their children, But tell
to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, And His strength
and His wondrous works that He has done.
▪ A few of Jesus’ Parables:
o The Sower (Luke 8:4-8)
o The Talents (Matthew 25:14-30)
o The Lost Sheep (Matthew 18:12-14)
o The Creditor and the Debtors (Luke 7:41-43
King David is attributed to writing many of the Psalms.
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Part 4: The Prophecies
Page 16
Prophetic Predictions
The constant subjects of the great prophetic predictions of Israel, the
punishment of the guilty nations, and the realization for all of the ancient
promises.
Directly or indirectly all the prophecies are concerned with the
obstacles to be removed before the coming of the new kingdom or with the
preparation of the New and final Covenant. From the days of Amos, and
clearly it was not even then a new expectation, Israel was awaiting a great
day of Yahweh, a day, which it deemed one of extraordinary triumph for it
and its God. The Prophets do not deny, but rather declare with absolute
certainty that the day must come. The time is approaching. The broad
daylight of the Christian Revelation is coming.
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Part 3: Prophets and
the Gospel Writers4.2 The Birth of the Messiah
➢ Gentiles shall come bearing gold and frankincense, a prophecy that
was fulfilled by the three Wise Men at the Birth of Jesus. Gold is for
royal kings, Frankincense is used during worship of God, and Myrrh is
used for burial. The three gifts indicate who Jesus really is.
▪ Isaiah 60:6:
A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Mid'ian
and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold
and frankincense, and shall proclaim the praise of the LORD.
▪ Matthew 2:7-12:
7 Then Herod called the magi secretly and ascertained from them
the time of the star’s appearance. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem
and said, “Go and search diligently for the child. When you have
found him, bring me word, that I too may go and do him homage.”
9 After their audience with the king they set out. And behold, the
star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and
stopped over the place where the child was. 10 They were
overjoyed at seeing the star, 11 and on entering the house they saw
the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and
did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered
him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And having been
warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their
country by another way.
➢ The son of God will return from Egypt.
▪ Hosea 1:1:
1 When Israel was a child I loved him, and I called my son out of
Egypt.
▪ Matthew 2:15:
13 When they had departed, behold, the angel of the Lord
appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and
his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. Herod is
going to search for the child to destroy him.” 14 Joseph rose and
took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt. 15
He stayed there until the death of Herod, that what the Lord had
said through the prophet might be fulfilled, “Out of Egypt I called
my son.”
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Part 4: The Prophecies
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Part 3: Prophets and
the Gospel Writers4.2 The Birth of the Messiah
➢ This prophecy foretells that Jesus (Immanuel means “God with us”) will
be born of a virgin.
▪ Isaiah 7:14:
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, a virgin shall
conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
▪ Luke 1:26-33:
26 In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town
of Galilee called Nazareth,
27 to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of
David, and the virgin’s name was Mary.
28 And coming to her, he said, “Hail, favored one! The Lord is with
you.”
29 But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what
sort of greeting this might be.
30 Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have
found favor with God.
31 Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you
shall name him Jesus.
32 He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the
Lord God will give him the throne of David his father,
33 and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his
kingdom there will be no end.”
▪ Matthew 1:20-23:
20 Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord
appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not
be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the
holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her.
21 She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus,* because he
will save his people from their sins.”
22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the
prophet:
23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they
shall name him Emmanuel,” which means “God is with us.”
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Part 4: The Prophecies
3.2 The Gospel (“Good News) Writers
According to Catholic tradition, the four Gospels were written by four
individuals called the four Evangelists. Many scholars today, however, argue
that the original authors were "anonymous," and that the names of Matthew,
Mark, Luke, and John were only later connected with these four books.
Which opinion is correct? Better yet, what difference does it make?
In the four Gospels we get different emphases from different people in
different situations. There are multiple levels of meaning and interpretation:
Literary, Canonical, Historical, Spiritual - all valid and important.
Matthew; post AD 70.
A Jewish-Christian scribe who’s writings were directed to the Jewish
community. He begins with the human ancestry of Jesus, back through
Abraham (1:1-18) and ends with Jesus' promise to be "with us always" (28:20).
Matthew emphasizes Jesus’ credentials and righteousness and aligns with Old
Testament prophets. He portraits Jesus as King.
Mark; AD 55-70.
A bi-lingual Aramaic/Greek who’s writings were directed to the Romans and
Gentile community and were influenced by Peter. Mark begins with John
the Baptist, roaring like a lion (1:2-8) and ends with a challenge: "do not be
afraid or silent" (16:1-8). Mark shows Jesus as Servant emphasizing action,
miracles and helping those in need.
Luke; AD 80-90.
A Gentile Christian historian who’s writings are directed to the wealthier
urban Greek community becoming complacent. Luke begins and ends in
the Jerusalem Temple, where oxen are sacrificed (1:5-23) and God is praised
(24:53). Luke emphasizes on the parables, gives us a portrait of our
compassionate Savior and Jesus’ humanity, showing Jesus as Man.
John; AD 90s.
His writings are for all mankind and directed to the Jewish Christian
believers in conflict with the "synagogue across the street“. John introduces
Christ from “the beginning” involved in creation and selects spiritual
conversations that show Jesus as the Messiah. Emphasis on the deity of
Jesus – Jesus is God.
[Source: http://www.catholic-resources.org/Bible/Evangelists.htm.
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4.1 The Coming of the Messiah
➢ St. John the Baptism prepared the way of Jesus.
▪ Isaiah 40:3-5:
A voice is calling, "Clear the way for the LORD in the wilderness;
Make smooth in the desert a highway for our God. "Let every valley be
lifted up, And every mountain and hill be made low; And let the rough
ground become a plain, And the rugged terrain a broad valley; Then
the glory of the LORD will be revealed, And all flesh will see it
together
▪ Matthew 3:1-3:
I In those days John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert of
Judea
2 [and] saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”
3 It was of him that the prophet Isaiah had spoken when he said:
“A voice of one crying out in the desert, ‘Prepare the way of the Lord,
make straight his paths.’
➢ Daniel's vision references the "son of man", which is the name that Jesus
gave to himself.
▪ Daniel 7:13-14:
I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there
came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and
was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory
and kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve
him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass
away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.
• Matthew 16:13-18:
13 When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi* he asked
his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”
14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist,* others Elijah, still
others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But
who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter said in reply, “You are
the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus said to him in
reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood* has
not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. 18 And so I say to
you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the
gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.
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Part 4: The Prophecies Part 4: The Prophecies
4.1 The Coming of the Messiah
➢ Nathan the prophet foretells of Jesus’ coming to David.
▪ 2 Samuel 4-5a, 12-14a, 16 (Unknown):
The Lord spoke to Nathan and said: "Go, tell my servant David,
'When your time comes and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise
up your heir after you, sprung from your loins, and I will make his
kingdom firm. It is he who shall build a house for my name. And I
will make his royal throne firm forever. I will be a father to him, and
he shall be a son to me. Your house and your kingdom shall endure
forever before me; your throne shall stand firm forever."
▪ Matthew 1:1 (The Genealogy of Jesus):
1 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the
son of Abraham
▪ Luke 3:23,33 (The Genealogy of Jesus):
23 When Jesus began his ministry he was about thirty years of age.
He was the son, as was thought, of Joseph, the son of Heli
31 the son of Melea, the son of Menna, the son of Mattatha, the son
of Nathan, the son of David,
➢ Foretelling of the birth of Jesus, ruler of Israel in Bethlehem, a name
that means “House of Bread”.
▪ Micah 5:1-3:
1 But you, Bethlehem-Ephrathah least among the clans of Judah,
From you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel;
Whose origin is from of old, from ancient times. 2 Therefore the
Lord will give them up, until the time when she who is to give birth
has borne, Then the rest of his kindred shall return to the children of
Israel. 3 He shall take his place as shepherd by the strength of the
LORD, by the majestic name of the LORD, his God; And they shall
dwell securely, for now his greatness shall reach to the ends of the
earth
▪ Matthew 2:1-2:
1 When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King
Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem,
2 saying, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star
at its rising and have come to do him homage.”
